Package ignites at D.C. post office

A package "ignited" Friday afternoon in a U.S. postal facility in the District near the Maryland border, D.C. police said.

D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said a postal employee flagged down a police car that was driving in the 3300 block of V St NE shortly after 2 p.m. Lanier said the employee told the officer that they had a package similar to packages found in Maryland Thursday. The package was "popping, smoking with a brief flash of fire and then it extinguished itself," Lanier said.

No one was injured.

The package is being handled by the FBI's Joint Terrorist Task Force and will be taken to FBI headquarters in Quantico for analysis, Lanier said.

The facility, at 3300 V St. NE, is a processing facility only – meaning customers cannot enter the location to send/receive mail. Two shifts are run through the facility, which employs between 50 to 100 workers, said Ray Robinson, executive vice president of Local 140 of the American Postal Workers Union.

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) had been told that the return address on the package sent to Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) Thursday contained a return address that was for a "parking facility in D.C." said his spokeswoman, Heather Molino. Ruppersberger had been briefed as part of his role on the House Select on Intelligence and also received information from Maryland law enforcement sources, Molino told reporter Mary Pat Flaherty.

Molino said the office did not know if the same address was on the second Maryland package and had not received information late Friday afternoon about the incident in the District.

Law enforcement officials Friday said the suspicious package in the District is linked to those in Maryland.

"This package is described as very similar in nature to the packages recovered yesterday," Lanier said.

According to a postal inspection source, Friday's incendiary package was addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Lanier said she would not address who the package was addressed to.

Napolitano was told about the incident as part of routine security briefings, according to a Homeland Security spokeswoman. DHS is closely monitoring the situation, the spokeswoman said.

After the Maryland incidents Thursday there was increased security at all processing facilities, said Peter Rendina, assistant inspector in charge of the Washington division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Postal Inspectors, which are the agency's law enforcement arm, were out at processing centers screening mail, and employees were given a refresher Friday morning on what suspicious aspects of the mail to look out for, Rendina said

Lanier said that there were "protective measures" put in place throughout the region but did not elaborate.

"All of us in this region understand that incidents that happen in one jurisdiction are not necessarily tied to that jurisdiction," Lanier said.

It was not clear whether the processing facility would reopen Saturday.

The FBI said federal terrorism investigators were responding, but did not characterize the incendiary mailings as a terrorist incident, saying only that the matter is under investigation.

The task force’s role includes evidence collection and a response unit for incidents in the nation’s capital, said Lindsay Godwin, spokeswoman for the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

“I think until we can rule out anything, we have to have all of our assets involved,” Godwin said.

“I don’t believe other facilities have been shut down or evacuated. To our knowledge this is the only incident today,”’ she said.

Godwin said the investigation is being led by the FBI's Baltimore Field Office, assisted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service , in coordination with and the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI-led JTTF and the bureau’s Baltimore and Washington field offices.

There are no immediate details on the incident or how many people were in the facility at the time. The facility has been evacuated, according to an inspection service spokesman.

UPDATE:

4:29 p.m.
According to a senior postal inspector, the device found at the Northeast D.C. post office contained a device similar to the two found Thursday in Maryland.

-- Ed O'Keefe

4:23 p.m.FBI agents are also on scene, and expect to send evidence to the FBI laboratory at Quantico for analysis, said Katherine Schweit, spokeswoman for the FBI's Washington Field Office.

She added that the FBI has no reports of any similar incidents today in the Washington area.

-- Spencer S. Hsu

4:12 p.m.
At least one and possibly two packages or envelopes "ignited" Friday afternoon in a U.S. postal facility in the District near the Maryland border, D.C. police said.

The incident occurred about 2:45 p.m. at the facility in the 3300 block of V Street NE, off New York Avenue near the D.C.-Maryland line, said Officer Hugh Carew, a police spokesman. He said no injuries were reported and that law-enforcement explosives experts were at the scene.

Two packages received by Maryland's governor and transportation secretary that ignited when they were opened Thursday contained this note. This image is a reproduction provided by police. (Maryland State Police)

There are no immediate details on the incident or how many people were in the facility at the time. The facility has been evacuated, according to an inspection service spokesman.

“We are working aggressively to determine whether the situation is related or involved to anything else that we’ve been working on in the last two days,” said Postal Inspection Service spokesman Mike Romano.

The V Street location screens and handles mail and packages sent to federal government agencies. It was set up in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and 2001 anthrax scare.

D.C. fire and police and inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are responding to an incident involving a suspicious package at a U.S. Postal Service facility at 3300 V St. NE.

There are no immediate details on the incident or whether anyone was injured or how many people were in the facility at the time. The facility has been evacuated, according to a inspection service spokesman.

-- Paul Duggan

D.C. fire and police and inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are responding to an incident involving a suspicious package at a U.S. Postal Service facility at 3300 V St. NE.

There are no immediate details on the incident or whether anyone was injured or how many people were in the facility at the time. The facility has been evacuated, according to a inspection service spokesman.

“We are working aggressively to determine whether the situation is related or involved to anything else that we’ve been working on in the last two days, said Postal Inspection Service spokesman Mike Romano.

The location screens and handles mail and packages sent to federal government agencies. It was set up in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the 2001 anthrax scare.

On Thursday, separate packages containing incendiary devices and addressed to Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and his secretary of transportation flashed, smoked and produced an odor when they were opened, causing minor injuries to two employees and putting officials around the Washington region on alert.

RepealObamacareNow said:
"We need tracking of all mail pieces, like Federal Express and UPS. Every piece of mail gets a number and is tracked from start to finish so we know where everything comes from."

Wouldn't that be done by the Federal Government, who so many of you "repeal 'Obamacare'" types don't want involved in the lives of 'true patriots'? Wouldn't many like-minded folks pitch a fit about "the gubmint trackin' all of our dag gum mail"?

I don't know what your exact stance is on the powers of the Feds; it's just real interesting to read a comment like that from a person with a sreen name such as yours.

Some of these scare tactics being used is to try to get Americans to lose more rights, or to give up more of your rights! The biggest example that we have been showed is the 9-11. Did know that the Patriot Act was already written before 9-11? The Patriot Act was designed to give up move of our rights, but we wouldn't give up our rights just because, with no real reason. So, to help convince Americans that they need to give up more rights, LOW AND BEHOLD - 9-11 happened, the Twin Towers fell perfectly as though the wrecking designer placed everything perfectly in the Twin Towers. So, it happened, we gave up more rights. With what just happened in DC Post Office, we will willingly give up more of our rights. Which rights do you want to give up now? What will be the next scare tactic?

Tracking every piece of mail may be a bit much, but we could certainly track all packages like FedEx and UPS. It certainly would not bankrupt the USPS, we would just pay more for shipping (they actually already have this capability). Let's all take a moment to send our thoughts to the postal workers of that facility, hoping that none were injured, and that the workers will be able to cope with the anxiety that a threat on their lives produces.

Mr International, I wonder if RepealObama care person aware that Fed Ex and UPS are premium services, and similar one's are offered by USPS which allow tracking. So whereas Repeal person objects to the requirement that all Americans have health insurance, he or she is very much content with forcing every American to spend at least 9.95 to mail a letter.

Personally I wish we would just withdraw ourselves from the whole Arab Israeli conflict. We are there in the first place because we are truly ignorant as to what the Bible has to say on the whole matter. I do however find it difficult to understand why when people do not get their way on any issue these days especially resort to violence. In four thousand years of tit-for-tat, the Arabs, and the Israelis are no closer to solving their differences.

Our Nation has lost too many of it's sons, and daughters in a conflict that is truly none of our business. We do not have just plain Africans throwing bombs at us, because we refuse to get involved in the conflicts on the African continent to the same degree. When I say plain Africans, I mean non Muslim Africans. We simply need to learn to mind our own business. Do we not have enough problems here at home, that we seem unable to solve? So now becasue we spend billions medling in the affairs of others we have too little money to take care of our home grown problems.

@buffysummers...No, they are not right next to each other. There locations are at least 10-15 mins driving time apart, but not next to each other. And, for the person who made the statement about unionized workers...it's not about whether they are under a union or not, it's about the fact that they are hard working human beings just trying to make a decent wage to support themselves and their families.

@Fedup77--I agree with your statement regarding minding our business. For far too many years we have injected ourselves in other countries woes and problems, while losing sight of the problems we have here in the US. I could go on and on to mention them but I think we all know the story.

I think my bottom line would be, why does someone feel the need to hurt innocent people/victims because of their selfish beliefs. In my opinion, it all needs to stop!

We know how much you don't really trust us, curtail our freedoms and think you're that 'big brother' we never had.

But you also need to know that we heard what was said while the founding fathers were hammering out a new Constitution, and how you cringed at the thought of giving the masses any power whatsoever.

Guess what.

There are a lot of folks who have TRUSTED your ways for long enough, but patience has run out.

You are out of chances to get this right, apparently.

The masses are creeping up on you, and getting perilously close to your Versailles there in D.C.

If you had read the constitution outloud, great.

Now, how about doing a little research on how the Constitution came about?

Let's just say that it wasn't unanimously agreed upon, and Madison, Hamilton, and others had a great deal to say about this republic prior to inking the Constitution.
FACT.

A re-reading of the Constitution is so very superficial unless you know the facts behind it.

One of the biggest issues is how to control the masses or the "proletariat" from usurping the US Govt.

Now a couple of bomb blasts in post offices don't necessarily make a revolution.

But a couple HUNDRED, maybe a couple THOUSAND may get your elite attention turned back on the masses. Rather than shoving tyranny down our collective throats, perhaps consider taking your eyes off of your own 401K plans and pensions to actually GOVERN.

That's the idea, here.

All too many feet shuffling, and no real improvements yet.

And with the 24-hour news cycle, you're basically watching as the discontent with US Government mounts in ways it never had before; three this week, a couple next week perhaps, and more upset copycats will jump on board, I'll wager.

Oh it must be nice in those ivory towers, boy and girls.

It must also be a little frustrating to know that despite your efforts, little to nothing is being done in Congress these days except pomp and circumstance.

I for one, didn't actually VOTE for pomp and circumstance.

I voted for people that represented me.

When those representatives fail to represent, perhaps I have to do some of these things myself, see?

Personally I wish we would just withdraw ourselves from the whole Arab Israeli conflict. We are there in the first place because we are truly ignorant as to what the Bible has to say on the whole matter. I do however find it difficult to understand why when people do not get their way on any issue these days especially resort to violence. In four thousand years of tit-for-tat, the Arabs, and the Israelis are no closer to solving their differences.

Our Nation has lost too many of it's sons, and daughters in a conflict that is truly none of our business. We do not have just plain Africans throwing bombs at us, because we refuse to get involved in the conflicts on the African continent to the same degree. When I say plain Africans, I mean non Muslim Africans. We simply need to learn to mind our own business. Do we not have enough problems here at home, that we seem unable to solve? So now becasue we spend billions medling in the affairs of others we have too little money to take care of our home grown problems.

Report Suspicious Activity:
I saw someone going into the Post Office today with a box. It was wrapped in paper and all taped up.
I don't know if he was an alien, but the guy was not a real american, but I couldn't tell if he was a Mexican or India or what, but he sure wasn't white like me.
Heck, it could have been Osama Bin Laden for all I know.
Ask John McCain. Remember back during the campaign when he said that he know how to find him?
Another possibility is congresswoman Sue Myrick's (R-NC) theory that it was the "anchor baby" for someone who immigrated here thirty years ago with just this sort of thing in mind.
I'm so scared. I'm so very, very scared. In my mind everyone's a suspect. Are you sure you guys checked the phone records? You'll probably find conversations among the planners of this. Check the people who helped hide the truth about Obama's Birth Certificate. They MUST be involved somehow.

Do not let this nonsense distract us from the fact that our government is being ran by Wall Street and the Big Banks. Congress stop the petty fighting and save America! Obama, be a man and help Congress save America!

The V Street facility and the Brentwood Road Post Office (where the anthrax deaths occurred) are two different buildings that are by no means next to each other.

The V Street facility is in an industrial/warehouse area between Bladensburg Road and South Dakota Avenue, near the area where NY Avenue turns into the BW Parkway and Route 50 in Maryland. It is near Goodwill Industries and Fort Lincoln in D.C.

The Brentwood post office is between New York Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue, Near BET.

I hope they find the people doing this and send them to Guantanamo. They're the biggest cowards. Whether it be people who threaten people by phone (a little harder today) or online or send dangerous packages, have the guts to identify yourselves.

So,while I certainly do not want to see anyone hurt or killed by these devices,but
I cannot help but wonder how soon we can expect clueless wonder Sec of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano the incompetent to come rushing out to tell us that "Our post offices and safer and more secure today then ever" just like that idiotic fool did when Napolitano loudly proclaimed
"Our border with Mexico is more secure today then ever" as well? Or,did everyone
forget that other crazy Napolitano lie? It
is long past time to Fire Janet Napolitano.

ryemil: I didn't know that but I am not surprised.
Bush could have prevented the 9/11 attacks but he didn't because he and Cheney wanted it to happen. They were warned by the CIA SIX TIMES in the spring and summer of 2001. The CIA gave Bush his last warning in August 2001. The Philippine government had found the plans for the attacks when they raided an apartment of known terrorist NINE YEARS BEFORE! They gave that information to the CIA. After 9/11, Bush was told repeatedly that Bin Laden was in Afghanistan but he was quoted as saying "I don't care." He wanted to go after Saddam to get even with him for trying to kill Bush Sr. Cheney even said of the attacks, it was "A blessing in disguise" because they had planned to attack Iraq all along but couldn't do it without public outrage. This whole thing reminds me of the war in Troy in the ancient days.
Now there is some lunatic hurting innocent postal workers to try to get revenge on a government official. Sick!

In the context of the world as it is, and despite our ill gotten beginnings, we have the greatest political system of government the world has ever known. However, the political system, and it's technological prowess, has progressed far beyond the range of our human understanding. Thus, everything is in place, but we are not. There's no need for me to further comment on the particulars about another sick incident in a country that's becoming unconsciously sicker by the day. But for those who have "eyes to see" and the "inner ear to hear", know that in a unitary existence, our monumental problems can never be properly addressed until we belatedly seek to find the hub of all things, no different than knowing that in order to count to ten, one must start with the number One!

And for those who think that the aforementioned statements don't make any sense, I'd say that if they don't make sense to you, they can't! For those who recognize truth, already know truth by the experience of their own revelations!

Well, at least I guess we know what his problem is. He probably watched too many of those Hitler/Nazi Germany documentaries on the History Channel about their Gestapo secret police. He may have even lost his remote control while his TV was tuned to the Military Channel over the Christmas Holidays, when Hitler shows were on nearly continuously for days. (Don't ask me how I know.) Not being able to change the channel would tend to reinforce any underlying mental illness. Maybe the Government could get everyone a laptop in order to distract radicals from continuous TV watching as part of the next stimulus package. Our numerous spy agencies could monitor all the terrorists on their Facebook pages. How easy is that! Don't tell the bomb guy.
This should be a lesson for all the liberal advocates of gun control. Had he been down here in Louisiana, he could have simply vented his frustration with Big Brother by just shooting up the offending signs, like the drunks here do for target practice. It would be cheaper to replace them, than to find this fruitcake and keep him in jail. Thousands versus millions.
Did Fox blame it on Islamist terrorists yet? Beck said there were 100,000,000 of them running around. With that many, we are lucky any of us are still alive.

georgana: Some of our next freedoms we will be losing is 'freedom of religion', might be hard to believe, but it's already in the workings. Look how many Catholics are Supreme Court judges. There's not even one protestant judge! Most people have no idea how & why America came about, but it was because of freedom of religion,' to escape from the Catholic Church rulership. What Church do you see in movies,programs...it's getting the people used to see the Catholic Chruch as though it's good. Remember back in the 9-11 days how the News media kept showing Sadam's picture holding a sword or an old rifle, that was to get Americans psyched out to become angry & vengeful. IT WORKED!!! Almost every American wanted to kill him. It was another reason or excuse to invade the Mulisum world, to keep them in their place & to rule over them with an 'iron hand'. I'm a peaceful person just watching what is really going on. But your(our) 'Freedom of Religion' is in line next to disappear! "Sit back & enjoy the show"

RepealObamaCareNow - Why stop with the packages? Why not tag everyone who mails a package with a number so they can be tracked? Ditto anyone receiving a package, thinking the word "package" or simply made of carbon. Glad to see you're making sure government stays off our backs.

pgibson1: Your post is an unwelcome reminder of 1994/1995 when, like now, there was an overabundance of newly elected Republican Congressmen looking for their 15 minutes of fame and for the perfect anger-inducing cause to ensure their re-elections. They quickly discovered that hate speech aimed at government employees was an easy way to manipulate "the base" and ensure that their sound bites made the evening news. While it was quite obvious that they ran the risk of triggering a violent act, they persisted. They then reacted indignantly when it was suggested that there might have been a cause-effect relationship between their provocative speech and Timothy Mc Veigh's decision to take out a few hundred federal employees along with a daycare center full of their children.

The Class of 2010 is recycling the 1994/1995 hate campaign and your post indicates that you have succumbed to their message.

You need to get a grip. Call a mental health hotline and let them know that you have been reduced to making thinly veiled bomb threats on the internet. Perhaps a pilgrimage to the Oklahoma City National Memorial would cure you of your delusion that anything good can come of talking about hundreds of bomb blasts and your fellow citizens in the same paragraph.

Until you get your delusions under control, do the world a favor and stay away from your keyboard.

Many existing laws and regulations apply specifically to pregnant women. Several provisions of the Affordable Care Act offer new benefits for expecting mothers. Search online for "Wise Health Insurance" if you need affordable insurance for yourself or your wife.

The nut-case who sent the package is signaling serious discontent with the status quo in Washington and should serve as a warning that all is not well in our Homeland. This crime will be investigated and we can only hope that the perpetrator is found and punished. It is heinous to endanger the lives of innocent people in order to protest. That goes without saying.

More heinous would be the possibility that this is a set-up by the powers that be---fearmongers who want to convince the citizenry that we actually need the Dep't Homeland Security and the Patriot Act. But that will never be discovered.